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The defender, who has made over 150 appearances for Dortmund, suffered an ankle injury in Germany's 1-0 win over England in the autumn but is confident he will be ready to return at the end of the month as he looks to help his side climb back towards the top of the Bundesliga.

"The progress is good," Hummels told Bild. "This morning, after a long time, I finally had the ball at my feet again.

"For me it is important that I have completed a whole week of training before I can complete a game again. I hope that I can return after the Augsburg game [January 25]."

Although the 25-year-old has found it difficult to watch his team from the stands, he is happy that they have advanced into the next round of the DFB-Pokal and the knockout stages of the Champions League during a season blighted by injury problems.

"It's been difficult to watch the league but fortunately and most importantly for us is that we have progressed in the Champions League and cup. And getting to second in the league is more than doable.

"If we do the best we can, like we did in the first 11, 12 matchdays, I definitely think we can at least finish third."